A generous movement.

Our astute content teams share their deep expertise openly. Because of their generosity, our high-value publications are accessible at no cost to everyone, everywhere. The foundation business is run by a handful of dedicated folks, also volunteers. Join us in our effort to transform the built environment, reduce carbon and create resilient communities. Make a donation in any amount today.

THE BUILDING DECARBONIZATION PRACTICE GUIDE:
A ZERO CARBON FUTURE FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The built environment contributes nearly 40% of overall carbon emissions. Consequently, reducing and eliminating carbon from the built environment — building decarbonization — is one of the best opportunities we have to combat climate change. The Building Decarbonization Practice Guide is a free resource for design professionals, developers, funders, and policymakers that demystifies the steps that are required today to create a zero carbon future. One of the most comprehensive, in-depth decarbonization guides, it is available by volume, for specific building types and issues, or as the recently completed 285-page full edition – at no charge.

"The Building Decarbonization Practice Guide is flat out one of the best resources out there to support decarbonization efforts. It’s incredibly comprehensive, spanning all aspects of decarbonization - which is extremely hard to find in a single, high-quality source. It’s also peer reviewed – drawing on a wide range of expert contributors and compiling the best knowledge and case studies available. Above all, the Guide is current, relevant and actionable. It provides clear technical guidance for practical actions you can take today."

– Stet Sanborn, AIA, CPHD,
Vice President, Mechanical Engineering Discipline Leader,
SmithGroup

WATER REUSE GUIDE v2.0

The award winning Onsite Non-Potable Water Reuse Practice Guide was developed and published in 2018 with funding and in-kind support from Google, AIA-CA, Charles Pankow Foundation, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, City of Santa Monica, and the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation. Since it’s publication, it has been downloaded over 5,000 times, received Certificates of Recognition from the State of California legislative bodies, instigated action by the State of California to develop statewide standards for onsite non-potable water treatment and reuse systems, and is cited as a resource in the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate library. Free download here.

Water reuse is a fast moving field. We are currently organizing and raising funds to update to the guide.

WRPG v2.0 will offer the leading-edge practical knowledge that building designers, contractors, owners, operators, and those that regulate this application need to understand, based on lessons from the field since the original Guide’s publication. This update will provide these professionals with information needed to properly scope and integrate onsite water reuse systems into the built environment. While not intended as a design guide, WRPG v2.0 will educate readers about concepts related to water budgets, evaluating project delivery alternatives, and convening a qualified project team. It will empower design professionals to think differently about water and communicate how and why all water is a design resource.

For information about aligning with us as a Water Reuse Guide sponsor, get in touch with Kyle Pickett.

To learn more about the project, review the current volume. You many also request a copy of the research needs statement for Version 2.0.

WORK IN PROGRESS.

To increase accessibility to our free resources around the world, a Spanish translation of the Building Decarbonization Practice Guide is underway. For information about aligning with us to sponsor this Worth-y work, please reach out to Steve Guttmann.

Make an impact. Support our work.

This climate emergency won’t wait and we just can’t do this without you. Whether you’re an individual or an organization, support us in our mission. Working together we can accelerate our impact.

2024 SPONSOR

VERDANI PARTNERS

Verdani Partners is a leading full-service consulting firm with over 20 years of experience in sustainability and ESG for real estate. Driven by a mission is to empower organizations with cost-effective strategies to create sustainable buildings and communities, Verdani Partners delivers sustainability and ESG consulting with an owner's perspective.

get in touch to learn more about Corporate sponsorship opportunities

For information about opportunities to align your brand with the Worthen Foundation as a corporate sponsor, reach out to Steve Guttmann or Kyle Pickett.

Thanks in advance!

thank you to all of our sponsors

AIA California
As|Design
Building Decarbonization Coalition
Charles Pankow Foundation
City of Santa Monica
e6 Development
Energy Foundation
Epic Cleantec
Google
Greenbank Associates
Guttman & Blaevoet Consulting Engineers
HPS Architecture
Lionakis
Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Microsoft
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Studio Till
UL Solutions
Urban Fabrick
Verdani Partners
Water Environment & Reuse Foundation
WRNS Studio